Parramatta Eels equal greatest comeback in thriller against Panthers

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The Pirtek Parramatta Eels have equaled
their biggest comeback to win a spectacular match at CUA Stadium 34-28.
After trailing 22-0, Jarryd Hayne had a hand in five of the Eels' six
tries in what maybe have been the game of the season.

The Parramatta Eels started poorly,
letting in 22 points before they were able to put a try on the board.

Another Walsh kick, this time a
midfield chip, led to Lachlan Coote breaking through the line before
passing out to Adrian Purtell, who grubbered for the corner. Eels centre
Jonathon Wright willed the ball to go out but Penrith winger Michael
Gordon touched down just before the ball dribbled out.

Two minutes later an uncharacteristic
error from Luke Burt gave the Panthers possession in the Eels' 20-metre
zone again.Jennings ran at the line and
grubbered, which wrong-footed Jarryd Hayne who slipped, leaving Coote to
score for a 16-0 lead.

It took 20 minutes for the Eels to put
together possession close to the tryline, but a loose pass from Daniel
Mortimer led to more points for the Panthers, Jennings swooping on the
ball to run more than 80 metres to the tryline.

With seven minutes before the end of
the half and down 22-0, Fuifui Moimoi finally pulled the Eels into the
game with a damaging run down the middle. A Hayne pass sent him straight
at Walsh who could not tackle the big man and Burt's conversion made it
22-6.

It was the start of a stunning revival,
with Hayne playing a part in all five tries. Three minutes after Hayne
sent Moimoi over the line, he put Wright into space, who dangerously
dummied as he came to fullback Coote instead of passing to Hayne, and
scored the try himself.

At halftime it was 22-12, but the Eels
took just five minutes to follow on from their last two tries. On the
back of three consecutive penalties, a Hayne offload to Wright led to
another try when he reached over his head to score his second of the
night.

In the 54thminute Hayne had
his fourth try assist, this time grubbering to the corner for Krisnan
Inu, who casually planted the ball as he flirted with the touchline.
Burt converted to put the Eels in front by two points for the first time
in the night.

But Hayne really came to life with 14
minutes remaining, turning a simple kick return into an 85-metre
demonstration of speed and skill to put the Eels ahead by eight.

However, in front of a record-breaking
home crowd the Panthers were not done. Another Walsh bomb passed by all
the Eels defenders again and bounced into the arms of Wade Graham who
scored. The conversion left the Eels just two points in front again.

With the Panthers attacking in the
final seconds and looking dangerous, Mateo intercepted before passing to
Justin Horo who sealed one of the Eels' greatest comebacks.